SEAL PUPS
Sure they’re cute, but please leave them alone!
Seal pups are often “parked” on the beach by their mothers because they are not yet strong enough to keep up with her as she hunts for food. The mothers generally come back to feed them and may do this at night when no one sees them. Because of this, people may think they’ve been abandoned.
Human activity near the pup may frighten the mother away and increase its chances of actually being abandoned.
Dogs may seriously injure the pups. In addition, dogs can carry diseases the seals are susceptible to and vice versa so please keep dogs on a leash and well away from seal pups.
To maximize seal pups’ chances for survival, please stay well away from them. If you find a seal pup on the beach on Whidbey Island, call local law enforcement authorities and they will notify the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. These animals are protected by federal law so if you see people or pets disturbing or removing one from the beach, the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline is 1-800-853-1964.
For more information about seal pups, see Sharing the Shore with Harbor Seal Pups in Washington State on the NOAA website.